(PatrioticPost.com)- After Saudi Arabia decided last week to reduce oil output as part of a deal with Russia despite the continued conflict in Ukraine, President Biden has warned that there would be “consequences” for Saudi Arabia.
When the House of Representatives and the Senate resumed their work, Biden said to CNN’s Jake Tapper that action would be taken, but he did not elaborate on what shape it may take.
Despite protests and pressure from the White House, the OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries announced on Wednesday, October 4, that they had decided to reduce oil output by 2 million barrels per day to improve prices.
On Tuesday, Biden stated that there would be repercussions for what they’ve done with Russia.
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, backed the output decrease because his nation worried the oil price might go too low. As President Vladimir Putin pursues the conflict in Ukraine, supported by the United States and other Western countries against Russia, the decision may enhance Russian oil sales income.
Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, Sean Casten of Illinois, and Susan Wild of Pennsylvania are three Democratic lawmakers who have filed legislation that would cause the United States to withdraw its troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the U.S. should stop any collaboration with Saudi Arabia, including weapons sales and security cooperation beyond what is essential to preserve U.S. people and interests. Menendez says the reduction in oil output would boost Russia’s military endeavors.
According to Robert Singh, a Birkbeck University of London’s Department of Politics professor, the OPEC+ decision was undoubtedly a setback for the Biden presidency.
Energy market experts attribute it to concerns about a potential recession and a drop in consumption and price; as a result, the oil-producing states are attempting to maximize income now to hedge against future downturns, he said.
According to Singh, the Biden administration would oppose a military pullout, and it would be “very difficult to enact legislation demanding one.” Singh said that despite difficulties, Saudi Arabia plays a significant role in the oil and Iran sectors. Biden won’t want the United States to lose its remaining influence. He said while criticizing the Saudis plays well to the Democratic Party base, and indeed to Americans more broadly, as Biden’s visit to the kingdom this summer showed, the realpolitik requirements of international politics and economics currently mean that his administration will not, in substance, be treating Riyadh or other Arab Gulf Cooperation Council states as pariahs.
